Statement by H. E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

2016 Annual Session of the UNICEF Executive Board

14 June 2016

 

 

Mr. President,

 

          At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr. Anthony Lake for delivering his comprehensive, informative and substantive statement. I also cordially welcome the Annual Report of UNICEF and the Midterm Review (MTR).

 

          I acknowledge that UNICEF has been working diligently in accordance with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2014-2017. I welcome that over 90% of the targets in the seven areas except HIV/AIDS have been satisfactorily achieved, which shows significant progress. I also welcome the adjustments, including the modification of indicators through consultation with the Member States. I look forward to UNICEF’s continued effective activities through adequate allocation of its budget and human resources based on the MTR.

 

Mr. President,

 

          The discussions on UNICEF’s next Strategic Plan 2018-2021 will soon begin. It is necessary that UNICEF be highly engaged in the discussions with Member States based on the MTR as well as changing situations on the ground. Through new Strategic Plan, Japan expects UNICEF to steadily implement its vital activities while maximizing its relative strengths. Japan assures that it will actively and positively engage in these discussions.

 

          One of the important outputs of the World Humanitarian Summit was the recognition of the need to strengthen the Humanitarian-Development Nexus. This issue is to be discussed at the ECOSOC Dialogue on the longer-term positioning of the UN Development System. I would therefore like to ask the views of UNICEF on how to address this issue.

 

          Next, I would like to recall that Japan recently established the SDGs Promotion Headquarters headed by Prime Minister Abe. In this connection, Japan announced its contributions at the World Humanitarian Summit. Some of the contributions are related to the work of UNICEF, such as a commitment to contribute about 1.1 billion US dollars for global health including the improvement of maternal and child health, and another contribution to improve the educational environments for 50,000 girls.

 

          The current international situation does not seem to have bright pictures. However, Japan will contribute to work toward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and toward better world for children in close cooperation with UNICEF.

 

I Thank You